NIMBYs Wanted Head Start to Block Albany Bus Terminal Project

This week’s NIMBY award goes to activists in Albany fighting a $7 million bus terminal project in line for funding from the Hochul administration.

At a public meeting this week to solicit input on the plan, Paul Collins-Hackett, whom the Albany Times Union described as “a well-known Albany community leader who is known to many as Batman,” said, “We’re being asked what toppings we want on our pizza, but we didn’t order a pizza.”

No you didn’t, Paul, but the pizza is not for you. It’s for people who take the bus to and from Albany.

The bus terminal would replace a closed McDonald’s, a failed grocery store and a hideous expanse of concrete at 106 South Pearl Street. Wainschaf Associates of Rensselaer, New York, a general contractor with nearly 30 years of experience in the Capital Region, would build it.

The project has been in the works for months through an extensive collaboration between the Advance Albany County Alliance (an economic development agency), Albany County, the city of Albany, Gov. Kathy Hochul’s Empire State Development, the Capital District Transportation Authority and regional bus carriers.

But apparently “Batman” wasn’t consulted. Perhaps Collins-Hackett’s bat-phone is disconnected or the cell signal in his cave is weak.

Collins-Hackett is a good guy but is not known to have any expertise on regional transportation nor any position of authority relevant to the project. He’s just someone who, for whatever reason, doesn’t want a bus terminal in his neighborhood.

County Legislator Dannielle Hille — who lacks a superhero moniker, but does have blue hair — is leading the opposition to the proposal. Her main objection seems to be that local input wasn’t solicited sooner.

Gee, I wonder why the county didn’t want to give not-in-my-back-yarders a chance to kill the project in its crib.

For the record, the Hochul administration published an 82-page “Downtown Albany Strategy” on Feb. 13 proposing the site for a multi-modal transit station — “a modern, welcoming ‘front door’ that improves arrivals and supports investment at Liberty Park and nearby areas.”

The Advance Albany group then scheduled two community workshops to gather feedback. Hille ran around at the first one telling locals they had been “marginalized” and could still oppose the terminal.

A responsible leader would be cheering the plan and the speed with which it’s moving, as well as the selection of what appears from this Times Union photo to be an ideal site:

Hille’s bio says she is a criminal justice advocate “deeply committed to strengthening neighborhoods, expanding opportunity, and building safer, more connected communities.” That’s what bus terminals do.

Hille’s constituency — formerly or currently incarcerated people and their families — are exactly the kind of people who rely on buses.

For good reason, we have a representative government that makes decisions on regional matters like bus terminals. The usual criticism of government is that it moves too slowly, but now Collins-Hackett and Hille say it’s moving quickly.

They wanted the community to be asked about possible alternatives. Like what? Making people hitchhike to Albany?

The bus terminal will serve an obvious need, connecting intercity coach buses with public transit options so folks can get from Point A to Point B if driving or Amtrak is impractical.

Bus companies will soon be unable to use the current Greyhound station because of construction in that area, making the new terminal urgently necessary, according to Advance Albany CEO Kevin O’Connor.

“It is also a matter of equity,” he said in the Times Union. “Thousands of residents and visitors rely on bus transportation every year, yet the current facility does not reflect the importance of these travelers or the standards expected of a modern gateway to our region. Every person arriving in Albany deserves a safe, welcoming and dignified experience.”

Dannielle Hille — and Batman — should give them one.